transitioning unique nasa data and research technologies to operations
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Total Lightning What it is and operational impacts. Geoffrey T. Stano NASA SPoRT / ENSCO, Inc. Huntsville, Alabama. GOES-R Brown Bag Seminar 25 June 2014. Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations. Cloud-to-Ground versus Total Lightning. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Total LightningWhat it is and operational impacts
Geoffrey T. StanoNASA SPoRT / ENSCO, Inc. Huntsville, Alabama
GOES-R Brown Bag Seminar25 June 2014
(Image by Tamworth)
• Cloud-to-ground observations are only a point source
• Location where flash touches the ground
• Does not observe the entire flash
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Cloud-to-Ground versus Total Lightning
(Image by Tamworth)
• Total lightning observes both intra-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning• VHF for ground-
based lightning mapping arrays
• Optical for TRMM LIS and the GLM
• Observes flashes that the National Lightning Detection Network cannot regularly observe
• Majority of all lightning is intra-cloudTransitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Cloud-to-Ground versus Total Lightning
What is Total Lightning
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Tota
l Lig
htni
ng A
ctiv
ity
Inter-Cloud Flashes
Cloud-to-Ground Strikes
31 Individual Storms from Central Florida
Total Lightning
Intra-cloud AND cloud-to-ground
1442 UTC
3.4° Reflectivity, ~20 kft
1450 UTC 1452 UTC
Total Lightning• Observes intra-cloud (IC)
and cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning (1-2 min updates)
Physical Reasoning• Driven by updraft in mixed
phase region (above -10°C isotherm)
• Stronger, deeper updrafts• More lightning
Application• Increase in total lightning
signifies strengthening updraft
• Important for severe weather and lightning safety
Total Lightning
Importance of Total Lightning
Lightning Mapping Arrays
Oklahoma
Dugway Proving Ground
Langmuir Laboratory
White Sands
Houston
Kennedy Space Center
North Alabama
Washington D.C.
Atlanta
SPoRT Collaborations
Other existing or planned networksWFOs with total lightning access
Colorado
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Advantages•Spatial extent observations
•High temporal resolution
Disadvantages
•240 km maximum radius
•No national network planned
West Texas
Preparing for the futureNowcast and Climate
Applications in one sensor
• Sub radar volume scan times
• Full disc domain• Coverage in data
sparse regions• Geostationary• 90% night AND day
detection efficiency• 8-14 km resolution
(nadir to edge)
GLM Domain for GOES-East or West
Positions
OTD + LIS lightning climatology (1995-
2005)
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
http://www.goes-r.gov/spacesegment/glm.html
Operational Examples
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
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Time (min)
Num
ber o
f Sto
rms
First IC to First CG Delay“First Strike” Forecasting• Majority is intra-cloud• Lead time for initial cloud-
to-ground strike• First IC typically precedes
first CG by 5-10 minAviation applications• Update TAFs• Airport Weather WarningsPublic service applications
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Lightning Safety: First Cloud-to-Ground Strike
Developing cell with LMA sources
21 Jan 20102200 UTC
5 and 10 mile rings for KHSV
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
First Cloud-to-Ground Strike
2202 UTC
Increasing Source DensityNo CGs detected
Airport Weather Warning issued
for KHSV
Small intra-cloud flash
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
First Cloud-to-Ground Strike
2204 UTC
Continued increase in source densities
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
First Cloud-to-Ground Strike
2206 UTC
First CGs reported 5 min after NALMA
detections
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
First Cloud-to-Ground Strike
2232 UTC
Total lightning gave a 30 min lead time
First CG within 10 miles of airport
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
First Cloud-to-Ground Strike
Tornadic Event: OverviewNorth Alabama Overview• SPC Moderate Risk
• Hatched tornado area• In warm sector• Moist southerly flow
• Tds ≥ 62°F• Temperatures almost 70°F• Low level lapse rates
• 5.5 to 6°C• CAPE: 550 (BMX) to 1200
(BNA) J/kg• ~400 m2/s2 SRH (0-1 km)• ~60 kt Effective bulk shear
• Very favorable for tornado development
Nashville
Initial Development
1432 UTC
Reflectivity
Source Density
Storm Relative Velocity
Correlation Coefficient
1444 UTC
Several Cells
Minimal Lightning
No Other StandoutFeatures
60+ dBZ
Broad Rotation
~200 Sources
Up from 20 sources
Jump likely underway
The Lightning Jump
1446 UTC1454 UTC
Reflectivity
Source Density
Storm Relative Velocity
Correlation Coefficient
Radar has not updated yet
425 Sources:Lightning Jump (double since
1444 UTC)
Core lightning still over 400
sources
No major change in
correlation coefficient
Strong reflectivity and tight couplet in storm
relative velocity
Note limited CG activity
Tornado Touchdown
1510 UTC1520 UTC
Reflectivity
Source Density
Storm Relative Velocity
Correlation Coefficient
Drop off in total lightning typical as severe weather
occurs Very strong radar signatures
Jump preceded tornado by 24
minutesTornado
remains on ground and intensifying
Debris signature
Minimal lightning as core has descended – Few CGs
Tornadic Event SummarySummary• Favorable storm environment• Total lightning coincided with
radar in pointing out main cell• Lightning jump preceded
definitive radar signature• Lead time of 24 minutes• No cloud-to-ground trend• Demonstrated large drop off as
severe event evolved• Typical as storm core descendsForecaster Quote• “… NALMA data from 1446 UTC
made it clear that the storm was indeed strengthening.”
• Favorable storm environment• Total lightning coincided with
radar in pointing out main cell• Lightning jump preceded
definitive radar signature• Lead time of 24 minutes• No cloud-to-ground trend• Demonstrated large drop off as
severe event evolved• Typical as storm core descendsForecaster Quote• “… NALMA data from 1446
UTC made it clear that the storm was indeed strengthening.”
Lightning Jump
Touchdown
Debris Signature
Velocity Couplet
Summary• Total Lightning: Observes both intra-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightningo Not a point source – Good for lightning safety o Related to storm updraft strengtho More total lightning = stronger updrafto Special case: Lightning Jump
Rapid increase over ~10 minutes Usually precedes storm becoming severe
o Rapid updates (~1 minute)o Improves situational awarenesso Used in warning decision support
• Geostationary Lightning Mapper (Future instrument)o Lightning Mapping Arrays are an opportunity
“Sneak peek” of GOES-R ability Develop ways to fuse total lightning into operations
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations
Questions?
Dr. Geoffrey Stano: [email protected]
NASA SPoRT web page: http://weather.msfc.nasa.gov/sport/
Wide World of SPoRT blog: http://nasasport.wordpress.com/
Transitioning unique NASA data and research technologies to operations